chris'corner

It is probably true that on half the home inspections I do the filter is installed backwards.  It is important that the filter be installed the right way!  Why?  Because one side is stronger and meant to handle the air flow's pressure.  There is an arrow drawn on every filter to tell you the air flow direction.  Put in backwards, and as it gets loaded with dust, the filter can literally get sucked into the system and even cause damage to the fan.

Someone took the time to draw which way the filter should be installed.

That way, when it is put into the slot, you only have to put the arrow on the filter in the direction of the arrows drawn on the return duct.

What if the arrows are drawn wrong?

THESE ARROWS ARE POINTING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!

How do you know which way the air blows?

The air will always be drawn TOWARD the blower.  From the blower it gets heated in the furnace or cooled on the AC coils.

So the air-flow arrows on the filter should point TOWARD blower.

This unit is 5 years old.  It was filthy.  The ducts in the house were filthy.  Could it be the bad information on the arrows contributing to that?

My recommendation:  If you don't know which way the air is blowing, put a piece of toilet paper on the end of a pair of pliers and stick it into the slot.  See which way the paper is drawn.  That is your air flow direction!  Don't believe me?  Check it yourself.  AND THEN DRAW YOUR ARROWS THE RIGHT WAY!

Have a home to sell?  There are a few things you should know about TODAY'S buyers:  

Today's buyers are smart, savvy, well-educated consumers who ...

• know they can afford to be choosy - there’s an abundance of homes competing for their attention. 
  

• start their home search very logically, but end up buying for one of 2 emotional reasons:  They love the house or they love the price ... everyone loves a bargain!

• are curious by nature and will look at your family photos, personal collections, etc.  When they’re distracted by your stuff they’re NOT noticing your house.  

• will keep driving if they don’t find the view from the street appealing.   Buyers make judgments about your house within the first 5 seconds of viewing it and will spend the rest of the time justifying them.  

• want houses that are in “move-in” condition. 
  

• might be frightened of or allergic to your pet(s).  Realize that not everyone will find your pet(s) as charming as  you do - it's usually best to relocate them during all showings and open houses. 
  

• may not be impressed with your overly unique decorating statements and/or extravagant renovations, regardless of how tasteful they might be.

• spend a great deal of their house–hunting time looking for reasons NOT to buy (don't give them any!)

• don’t like - and WILL expect huge discounts for - dated wallpaper, old shag carpet, and other outdated décor.

• will exaggerate the cost of repairs and updates simply because they don’t want to deal with them.  

• tend to want what they can’t have.  Get clear on what stays and what you're taking with you.  (If you plan on taking the dining room chandelier with you when you move, remove it and replace it BEFORE a buyer ever sees it.)             
  

• [most] start their home search on-line - make sure the photos of your house that are posted online are fabulous.       

With the economic uncertainty we're experiencing, buyers are really afraid of spending too much.  Many are waiting for home prices to go down even lower.  If you receive a low-ball offer, don't be offended!  Understand that buyers have different strategies for negotiating.  Don't let emotions get in the way of a successful home sale.  Treat the sale of your house like the business transaction that it is and simply counter with a price you feel is reasonable.  

 

... the team of real estate experts at North Star Real Estate in Southington, CT will be happy to assist you in helping find the perfect home for you and/or helping you find the perfect buyer for your home!  Call us today at 860-302-0333.

 

 

Karen Bernetti is ...

Realtor®, Professional Home Stager, Author, Speaker and Owner of The Home Team Advantage, in Southington, Connecticut, offering Real Estate Staging, Home Improvements and Property Management Services. 

Resident Stager at North Star Real Estate, in Southington Connecticut, where EVERY listing comes with a FREE home staging consultation.

Co-creator of Ready2Sellin30Days® an innovative, interactive, multi-media educational program designed to teach do-it-yourself homeowners EVERYTHING they need to know about preparing a home for sale.  

Please visit the Home Sale Success with Karen and Ann BLOG, where we provide hope and inspiration for home sellers and real estate professionals during uncertain economic times.   

 

 

Come On Out To Brampton, Ontario, Canada's Farmer's Market

There is still plenty of time to come out to Brampton, Ontario, Canada's Farmer's Market and enjoy the taste of fresh just picked fruit & veggies, the aroma of fresh baked bread & sweeties and admire the work of the handmade crafts from over 40 vendors.

Main Street between Theatre Lane and John Street comes alive as a vibrant outdoor festival marketplace until October 9, 2010, every Saturday between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.  While you are in the area, drop by the Artists' Alley in the Garden Square beside the CIBC bank and pick up a hand made dried flower arrangement, woodcraft, garden ornament or watercolour painting.  Enjoy the day even further by browsing the many unique downtown Brampton, Ontario, Canada shops all within walking distance of the Farmer's Market. You just never know what you will find here. 

Parking is free at the four municipal parking garages all day Saturday, so stay as long as your heart's content.  What a great way to spend a Saturday in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Come On Out To Brampton, Ontario, Canada's Farmer's Market

Brampton Real Estate let Al and Peggy Cunningham, The House People help you with Homes For Sale in Brampton and the surrounding area.

Al and Peggy Cunningham, Brokers

RE/MAX Realty Services Inc.,
391 Main St., N. Brampton, ON  L6X1N7
905-450-5500

Email: getsold@rogers.com

Brampton Ontario Homes For Sale

Brampton Area Face Book Fan Page

Brampton Area Real Estate Blog

 

It's that time of year to think about getting rid of things before the weather turns cold, and to make room for winter items. The video has some great tips for having a yard sale. I don't know about the ribbons around silverware though...I guess if you have the time. I would also add to have bags of miscellaneous items and sell the whole bag for a set price. If you're getting ready to sell your home, you don't want to bring things back into your house. If items don't sell, donate them to Goodwill, a church or a crisis center that takes donations. It's not only for a good cause, but it will make you feel better, and make your house look larger!                                                                  

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© Redesign Etc.,Inc. 2007-2010.  All Rights Reserved.

    

                                 

                                         

Redesign Etc. of Houston is a Full-Service real estate staging company.  We stage vacant, occupied, builders specs, condos, townhomes, vacation rentals and commercial property.  We offer furniture & accessory rentals at competitive rates.   Insured & Incorporated with the State of TX.

Owner, Cindy Bryant has earned the RESA-PRO^TM designation, holding professional home stagers to the highest industry standards, ethics, integrity and  proficiency in staging techniques while protecting Homeowners and Real Estate Agents.

Please visit our portfolio of before and afters and website for more information.  Check out our profile page too!  Check out our sister sites for the Houston Bay Area League City Home Staging and Galveston Home Staging.  Please contact Cindy Bryant for more information or call 281-748-2170.

Areas Served:  Houston, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Bellaire, Piney Point, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Downtown, Museum District, West University, Spring Branch, Royal Oaks-Lakeside, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Kingwood.  And all areas down to Galveston Island.

                                                                   

                                                             "Houston Home Staging Pros"

As a professional Home Stager in Fairfield County, CT I see too often kitchens that look outdated. When consulting our clients, we often recommend inexpensive upgrades that will help you sell your house. Kitchen and bathrooms are the two most important rooms in a house and can make or break a deal with potential buyers walking through your house.

Here are our Top 10 Tips for simple and inexpensive updates:

1. Replace old hardware with up-to-date hardware such as brushed nickel handles or door knobs.

2. If the wood of the cabinets looks worn, consider painting or re-facing the cabinets.

3. Replace the countertop with a granite countertop. Granite has the perception of being expensive, but it does no longer cost as much as it used to.

4. When you replace the countertop consider upgrading your kitchen sink with an under-mount sink.

5. Update your faucet.

6. Consider adding a backsplash if you do not have one.

7. If you have a backsplash, but the grout has seen better days, you can use a grout bleach pen or simply a regular White Out (yes, the one on your desk) to refresh your white grouts. About a year ago I have used the White Out to refresh my own bathroom floor and it still is completely white and did not wear off.

8. Upgrade your appliances – they all should have the same finish.

9. Add under-mount cabinet lighting.

10. Give the walls a fresh coat of a neutral color.

 

When getting your house ready for selling, de-clutter the countertops – leave out a maximum of only one countertop appliance.

If you are not sure how to get your kitchen ready for sale, contact us at 203 434 0669 or info@redesignyourspace.com

Birgit Anich

Home Stager & Redesigner   I   HSR, RESA-PRO, RESA, ASHSR - CT Chapter President

Fairfield county, CT   I    www.redesignyourspace.com   I 

Click here to join the new REALTORS & HOME STAGERS INFORMATION EXCHANGE group 

 

Glad Ware Containers To Help Kids With Cancer

 

As I was at my local Publix market today looking for plastic containers, I came across this one by Glad Ware.  Normally, I buy any kind, but the cover of it caught my eye.  On it was written "Your purchase = $ 1 to help kids with cancer..."

It tugged at my heart.  I had to buy it.  All  I had to do was enter a code.  Sounded easy enough.   There was even a coupon attached to the package.  The cost was $ 3.09 less the .50 coupon.

Of course, when I went to enter the code I had to register.  Not a big deal because it was such a good cause.  They promised to send free samples of stuff too.  Whatever.  I felt good because I got what I needed and helped with pediatric cancer. 

This promotion is good until September 30.  Think I'll go back and buy some more Glad containers <smile>.

 

 

 

To find out about pet-friendly housing and Boca Raton real estate, please contact me a Boca Raton real estate agent.  Whether you're interested in an Active Adult 55+ Baby Boomer Community, a Condo on the Ocean, a Gated Community or a Country Club, I can help you find your dream home.

 Elyse Berman, PA, ePro, a Boca Raton real estate agent, Realty Associates Florida Properties serving South Florida including the cities of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, Highland Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach, Hallandale Beach and South Beach. 

www.ElyseBerman.com 

My Blog

 

                                                            

www.deerfieldbeach-homesforsale.com/ 

                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it is safe to say that actions speak louder than words, and when we look at how most home sellers hire a real estate agent, the words they have been screaming with their actions for many, many years sounds like “I don’t care!“

I know that home sellers really do care, but it is time for them to wake up and realize that the real estate agent (and more importantly, the real estate company) that they select to market their home for sale is an incredibly critical decision.

Back in April, I wrote a blog which explored a recent survey of home sellers which reported that most home sellers do not put forth much effort into researching the real estate agent and real estate company that they plan to employ to sell their home.

I just find this incredible, even though I’ve seen survey results like this for my 20 years in the real estate business. Is it any wonder that roughly 60% of home sellers are failing to sell their home? The survey contained the following very scary statistics:

62% of home sellers only interviewed one agent before listing their home.

19% of home sellers talked to three agents before they selected one.

22% were more interested in determining the list price that would make their home competitive than any other service a listing agent would provide.

1% thought professional designations were important when picking their agent. The other 99% didn’t see the value to be of consequence.

3% found picked their agent by walking in or calling a real estate office and speaking to the agent who had floor duty at the time they called.

I believe that we are facing a tougher real estate market today than ever before (even worse than before the beginning of the Homebuyer Tax Credit) and that home sellers need all the help they can get. Rather than just hiring somebody they know with a real estate license, they should utilize the tools that can be found on the internet and select an organization that will get them results.

When we look at the current trend of success rates for home sellers, we see the market turning south again. The Homebuyer Tax Credit brought us up from a 30% success rate to a 43% success rate, but we now are going to be falling again. The number of solid buyers in the market has been thinned by many factors including a struggling economy, fewer loan programs, and the loss of buyers now to the previous period where the tax credit motivated them to purchase early.